6 December 2009 – 24 January 2010
This Christmas the Unicorn Theatre present the traditional fairytale of Cinderella but set on a boat. Cinderella and her father live on the boat Cassandra which has been turned into a retirement home for elderly magicians and Cinders has her work cut out making sure everyone is fed and looked after. The most striking feature of the production is the set, which features an enormous boat on a revolve, which turns to reveal a striking white staircase for the palace scenes.
The production has some splendid twists as Queen Felicity, superbly played by Samantha Adams, battling against a public that are rapidly loosing their love for the monarchy attempts to drum up support by marrying off the Prince; publicity stunts including the staging of an amusing ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ style hunt for the bride to be. The elderly magicians played by Adams, Julie Hewlett and Justin Butcher are lovely to watch and have a charmingly funny chemistry. Although, I wasn’t overly keen on the spiteful alternative-rock style ugly stepsisters but then, I suppose that’s the point.
This fresh telling of the old classic is brightly done but it’s a shame not all of the new angles are fully explored and we don’t get to hear more about the Prince’s back story and his arrival from the mysterious but beautiful land of the Butterfly Republic.
Address: Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, More London, Southwark, London, SE1 2HZ
Website: www.unicorntheatre.com
Email: admin@unicorntheatre.com
Phone: 020 7645 0560
The Gruffalo, tells the story of a little mouse in search of a precious nut in a deep, dark would this is a bouncy and lively adaptation of the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler picture book which is now a classic in every child of the noughties home.
On her quest for food poor little mouse crosses paths with a wily Fox, blundering Air Sergeant Major Owl and a vain Mexican dancing Snake who are all determined to gobble her up but she cleverly manages to escape their clutches by telling them of the terrible Gruffalo, who as every child knows has terrible tusks and terrible claws, and terrible teeth in its terrible jaws.
The movement work and choreography is inventive and clever, with clear attention to detail in creating the animals which is lovely to watch and is aided by some great vocal sound effects. Real praise must go to Naomi Said, Napoleon Ryan and Alan Park who have more energy than you can shake a very large stick at and throw open the chance for the children to interact with the show. The audience willingly jump at the chance but not always with the expected results, keeping the cast firmly on their toes.
It would have been nice to see a brighter and bolder design to fit in with with Scheffler’s wonderful illustrations but the big personalities of the characters more than makes up for this and the show will certainly prove a great treat for young people over the Christmas period.
For all those Gruffalo lovers out there the festive season holds another treat in store, The Gruffalo will arrive on our TV screens on BBC One on the 24th December in a 30-minute animated film featuring an all-star voice cast. Including Robbie Coltrane as The Gruffalo, Helena Bonham Carter as the narrator, Rob Brydon as the Snake, James Corden as the Mouse, John Hurt as the Owl and Tom Wilkinson as the Fox. It is produced by Magic Light Pictures.
Address: Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7EZ
Website: http://www.nimaxtheatres.com/
Phone: 0844 579 1971
21 November 2009 – 31 January 2010
Somewhat based around Stravinsky’s 1911 ballet, Petrushka tells the story of three puppets and their controlling puppet master. The rather mischievous Petrushka, a Russian relative of our own Mr. Punch, is the pride of his masters show – a puppet who can move on his own without any strings. He attempts to escape the clutches of his master but is drawn back out of love for the graceful ballerina puppet. Like Punch, Petrushka has his ancestry in the Italian Commedia dell’arte character of Pulcinella and it is great to see the influence of Commedia in this production with a chorus of Zanni puppets who appear throughout the show to tidy up.
The puppets are gorgeous to look at and the operation is truly outstanding. The three operators Ronnie Le Drew, Mandy Travis and Rebekah Wild are dressed in black velvets allowing them to disappear so one might imagine Petrushka really is moving on his own. The blend between live action and puppet work really brings something special to this production especially with Josh Darcy’s silky voice and perfect meanness as the manipulative puppet master. The action is cleverly choreographed with Stravinksy’s score, played as a piano duet by David Nettle and Richard Markham, and the play is smartly contextualised with some haunting soundscapes and an intelligent lighting design.
Petrushka is visually splendid and like a great Russian novel guides us on emotive tale interspersed with humorous moments, a real treat for adults and children alike to watch over the Christmas period.
Address: The Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, Islington, N1 2DN
Website: www.littleangeltheatre.com
Email: info@littleangeltheatre.com
Phone: 020 7226 1787
Theatre-Rites have been producing top quality theatre for younger audiences for 14 years. Their aim is to create work which feeds the imaginations of young people and gives them a memorable theatrical experience and Mischief which has returned for a new tour certainly does that. For full tour dates please see, http://www.mischieftour.co.uk. I caught the show at the Peacock theatre as part of Sadler’s Wells Family Weekend and absolutely loved it.
Mischief is a spellbinding mix of dance, visual art, puppetry, and playful clowning. I never knew just how great foam towers could be.
For a full account of my thoughts on this great show please see my review for Broadway World.
We can’t wait to see more of Theatre-Rites!
19 September – October 30, 2009
Travel to the land of mice where hardworking little Cindermouse finds love in the arms of a Prince. Reminiscent of the Cinderella story, this enchanting and humorous tale is a classic Little Angel production brought to life for a whole new set of young theatre-goers.
Meet a host of colourful glove and rod puppet characters: the outrageous sisters, the delicate fairy, acrobats who tumble and dancers who twirl to a musical accompaniment.
The show is suitable for age 3 and above, and there will be special Baby Friendly performances on Sunday mornings.
Check out my review of Cindermouse over on Broadway World.
Address: The Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, Islington, N1 2DN
Website: www.littleangeltheatre.com
Email: info@littleangeltheatre.com
Phone: 020 7226 1787
29 September – October 17, 2009
I recently had an impromptu visit to Liverpool and managed to get to see Willie Russell’s Our Day Out at the Liverpool Royal Court. It’s a fabulous show and great fun for all the family and manages to deal with some important issues whilst remaining a hilarious ‘coach ride’.
Our Day Out tells the story of Mrs. Kay’s Progress Class, a special class for those who cannot read or right, who are taken on a day trip to Wales. What mayhem will they unleash on the poor unsuspecting Welsh? Willie Russell has updated the script of his 1977 TV hit to bring it right into the modern ‘classroom’.
Feel free to read my review for Broadway World.
Address: Roe St, Liverpool L1 1HL
Website: http://www.royalcourtliverpool.co.uk/
Box Office: 0870 787 1866
8 July – 16 August, 2009
I finally got chance to watch ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ at the Duchess Theatre.
I’ve been looking forward to it for ages and I wasn’t disappointed! Check out my review over on Broadway World.
Photography by: Marilyn Kingwill
17 June – 28 June, 2009
English Pocket Opera Company’s production of Rossini’s Cinderella for Children moves over to the Unicorn theatre
See Ollie’s review of Cinderella on Broadway World.
Address: Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, More London, Southwark, London, SE1 2HZ
Website: www.unicorntheatre.com
Email: admin@unicorntheatre.com
Phone: 020 7645 0560
